Inca Empire Tour

With this 5-day package you will experience the World Heritage sites of Cusco and Machu Picchu as well as the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Urubamba. Cusco is the city that seamlessly melds three periods, ancient, colonial and modern, to create a colorful and vibrant experience that fills the senses.

Day 1: Arrival in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas

After your welcoming reception at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel. You will have the day free enjoy the city of Cusco and acclimatize to the altitude high Andean altitude of 11,000 ft. (3,400 m). Cusco is the city that seamlessly blends three distinct eras, Incan, Colonial and modern in an experience like none other in the world. We recommend that you take it easy, eat light foods and drink plenty of fluids. If your energy allows, there are shops, museums, churches and ancient ruins within walking distance of your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cusco

Day 2: Free morning and half-day tour of  Cusco and its surrounding ruins

After a good night’s rest in the thin Andean air, you will have the morning free to relax and continue to explore the city. We recommend a walk through the famous San Pedro Market where the locals shop everything from food to housewares. Here you will experience Cusco as it has existed for centuries.

In the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel for a tour of the highlights of the city and its surrounding ruins. You will start in the central Plaza de Armas or ¨Warrior Square¨. The Plaza was the ceremonial center of life in the time of the Incas and continues to be the center of life in Cusco today. The Plaza sits in the shadows of the Cathedral of the Company of Jesus. It´s impressive stonework blends late Gothic and Baroque styles with its colonial gold work and carved wood alters. Our next stop is Koricancha or the temple of the sun. While the Plaza was the ceremonial and civic center of the city, Koricancha was the spiritual center. Built in honor of the Incan deity, it once housed over 4,000 priests and their attendants.

Next, you will begin a tour to visit the nearby ruins of the amazing fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a massive complex that once protected the city and today offers a spectacular view of the city. Then on up the hill to visit the Inca shrine of Qenqo, where we will enter a natural cave with what is believed to be a sacrificial alter. The next stop is a lookout post of Puca Pucara, and finally our last stop will be Tambomachay, believed to be private baths of the Inca royalty.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cusco

Day 3: Full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba

You will be picked up early in the morning to begin a full day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be camelid farm of Awana Kancha. Here you will see up close the pride of the Andes, llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. You will witness the dying and weaving processes that have been in use since Incan times.

From there it is on to the city of Pisac and its traditional market. You have the chance to browse through row after row of traditional Andean textiles, handicrafts and even dry goods and vegetables. While it is easy to get immersed in the thousands of items on display, we need to make our way up the Valley in order to make the most of our day.

Next stop is the city of Urubamba; the population center of the Sacred Valley it sits on the banks of its namesake Urubamba River. Here we will stop and enjoy a scenic and relaxing buffet-style lunch where you will try a variety of the favorite local dishes.

After lunch, we will move on to the town and archeological site of Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo was the personal estate of the Inca Pachacuti, who conquered the region and built the town and ceremonial structures. Ollantaytambo is also the starting point for the 4-day hike on the Inca Trail. Here you will climb to the top of this imposing fortress and enjoy its breathtaking wonders and views.

Finishing the tour you will board the train for the scenic 2-hour ride to the city of Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, sits at the base of Machu Picchu, a short bus ride to the citadel. Your guide will greet you at the train station escort you to your hotel for your briefing in preparation for the following day. After the briefing, you will have time to stroll and dine in this very colorful tourist town.

Meals: Breakfast, Buffet lunch

Overnight: Aguas Calientes

Day 4: Machu Picchu

Early in the morning you will board the bus that will take you on your last leg of the journey to the gates of Machu Picchu. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate, and you will arrive early enough to catch a very spectacular sunrise. The experience will not only take your breath away but will fill you with a wave of emotion and awe that you will experience few times in your life.
You will begin a walking tour of the terraced agricultural area and the legendary stonework of the living and working areas. There is still a lot of mystery as to the purpose of the citadel and why the Incas suddenly abandoned it. Your local guide will explain not only the functional history of the site, but also share legends and rituals surrounding the Incan beliefs and their deep reverence for the mother earth.

After the tour, you will have the option of enjoying a buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge or in Aguas Calientes before boarding your train for the return trip to Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Cusco

Optional: Early morning hike to the summit of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain

Optional: Buffet lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge

Day 5: Cusco Departure

At the scheduled time you will be transferred to the airport or bus station and assisted with your check-in and departure.

Meals: Breakfast

End of Services

Included

• All services, lodging, food, and beverages mentioned in the trip description, tourist tickets, and entrance fees.
• All excursions come with a guide in the English language.
• Our prices include entrance fees and tourist ticket costs to determined historical, natural, or religious landmarks that are managed by the local authorities in many cases.

Not included

• Early check-in, late check-out, services and food not listed in the itinerary, beverages during the meals, hotel extras and personal expenses.
• Domestic and international airfare.
• Tips for guides, drivers, and waitresses, if not specified in the description.

Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots or shoes, hat, light jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen.